Make a mix of 1/2 baking soda and 1/2 powdered sugar. Mix well and put around the spots they are in your garden, or inside your home, it's harmless to people and pets. For outside use, you can put it in a bottle, like a pill bottle or something like that. Cut a hole on the edge of the cap, and lay the bottle on it's side so the ants can come in and get the mix. This way, it stays dry if it should rain. They will take it back to the nest and it should kill them. I'd keep it out there all season if you can. The mix makes a gas and the ants can't pass gas, so it kills them. Anything else that eats it will just taste the baking soda and say "Yuck" and walk off. It won't hurt anything that can pass gas, so it's completely safe. It helps to know what type of ant you are trying to get rid of, too. Try this site, scrolling down to see the different types of ants and how to deal with them. https://www.thespruce.com/ant-control-4127879

Hi Lynn: Well, I always use this in the spring and have absolutely no ants in or near my house. Since ants can't fart, the baking soda makes a gas and kills the ant. I have been ant free for years using this mix.

Ants are necessary part of nature, but when they intrude they need to be eliminated. Here is a great solution that is safe for family, pets and the environment, yet inexpensive, and best of all it WORKS. It is for any kind of ant. If you can find their trail coming in or mound outside it will help. Anyway, here is the easy cure! https://www.hometalk.com/36651130/ants-safe-and-effective-cure

I use a non-toxic ant spray that is primarily either mint, Victor's, or lemongrass oil, EcoLogic or EcoSmart in the house. It kills them on contact, and you can rub the residue on areas like doorways and cupboard edges.

I have also used the little hockey puck type ant traps that are toxic, but my cats don't bother them. I put them under furniture that is out of the way.

Caulk the area where they are getting in. And once or twice a year I spray the outside foundation with a Carpenter Ant & Termite spray thats toxic, so I wear a mask and gloves to do the job, I also wear safety googles.

Before we delve into our list of common ant myths, let’s take a look at these familiar insects and the traits that make them so difficult to eliminate.

Ant Facts

Ants are considered social insects and organize themselves in colonies. They communicate using their olfactory receptors – in other words, they use their scent to pass important information to other ants in the colony. This is the reason why “the ants go marching one by one” or travel in a straight line, returning to the same locations time and time again.

One of the smallest insects that can invade your home, ants are notorious for causing big headaches, leaving frustrated homeowners up to their own devices when it comes to wiping out their ant infestations. Here are some of the most creative, albeit false, theories circulating the web:

MYTH: Cinnamon kills ants.

TRUTH: Ants don’t like cinnamon but unfortunately it doesn’t kill or repel them.

MYTH: Vinegar kills ants.

TRUTH: Vinegar just removes the smell/trace of ants. While it may help confuse or throw off the rest of the colony, vinegar alone might not be enough to rid your home of these bothersome insects.

MYTH: Boiling water repels ants.

TRUTH: If – and only if – the water is boiling will it kill the ants that it is poured on. However, it will not repel future ants from invading your home.

MYTH: Ants won’t cross a chalk or powder line.

TRUTH: A chalk/powder line may temporarily stop the ants (it’s the smell that “ disrupts the scent trail”) but it won’t be long before they figure out a way around the chalk. We probably don’t have to tell you, but ants are very persistent creatures!

MYTH: Uncooked grains, like oatmeal,cornmeal or grits, will kill ants by expanding in their stomachs and then exploding.

TRUTH: Despite popular belief, there is no evidence that ants can be killed off by dumping grains in or around the “hive.” What we do know is that only the oldest members of an ant colony can digest solid food. The adult, worker, and reproductive ants, can only digest liquids.

And the biggest ant control myth of all?

As long as you kill or remove the ants you can see, your problem is solved.

I use packaged cornbread mix that says it is sweetened and put it where they are. They will take it to the mound, everyone will eat it and die, they can't digest the cornmeal, but will take it because it is sweetened. Little goes a long way.

I read this from : Itsmemic

Medicated powder from the Dollar Tree. It has eucalyptus in it...menthol...I puff it around my homes foundation..and inside under my birdcages in the cracks under moldings. Work immediately and they never come back. I do this at the first sign of ants..in one day..GONE. The powder is in a very large container and lasts quite awhile too !! And smells great !

Not toxic to my birds OR dog

What if you make a barrier around the house.

I did some research, since we know what works for one person doesn't always work for another. I found this site and it's pretty informative. I know some tips you may not be able to use but there are some good ones also that will hopefully help.

Hi Stormy - Those little buggers are relentless, aren't they?!? This is the most effective method and all-natural spray DIY that we use with ants. It's best indoors, but will also work outside with more frequent applications. Hope this helps! Hugs, Holly

If you use any of the above ways you need to add Boric acid or Borax. Fastest way to be rid of them Amdro ant bait just put a little on trail and they carry back to colony it kills everything it only takes 2-12 hrs tops. Just put a little next to/beside the ant trails and put something over it then shut the door for a hour so the ants can get it to colony,then you can clean up what is left after trail is gone.just try not to actually disrupt the trail.If you disrupt trail they'll stop working or move trail somewhere else.Yes I know you said you prefer non toxic. so use the Borax--Borax has a low toxicity for people and animals, but ants are another story. When ants consume the boraxbait, it interferes with their digestive system and gradually kills them. This slow kill allows time for the worker ants to carry the bait back to the nest to share with the rest of the colony and queen.just keep everything away from area for a little while and get rid of ants put it down when everyone goes to bed put a board or something over it keep bathroom door shut. I use the Amdro ant bait and have 9 animals, kid in house never had a problem.